Clip-On Golf Ball Tool

ABSTRACT

A clip-on golf tool for selective attachment to an article of a golfer&#39;s clothing or a golf bag includes a body portion having front and rear sides. A ball marker is removably coupled to the front side of the body portion. A pair of generally parallel tines is attached to a lower end of the body portion and extending outwardly. A cleaning pad is removably coupled to a mounting member and a saddle extends between the body portion and the mounting member, the saddle being configured to be selectively attached to an article of the golfer&#39;s clothing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/270,944, filed on Jul. 16, 2009 titled Clip-On Golf Ball Tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf accessories and, more particularly, to a golf accessory having a golf ball cleaning pad, a golf ball marker, and a divot repair tool that clips on to the user's clothing or golf bag.

The game of golf has become one of the most technologically advanced sports in the world today. Experts in science and physics have combined state of the art materials with ergonomic and aerodynamic principles in order to produce golf clubs and golf balls that produce more accurate and consistently longer shots. In fact, 1997 saw the first golfer in the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) history to average more than three hundred (300) yards per drive. The most technically advanced equipment in the hands of the most experienced golfer will not produce satisfactory results when hitting a dirty golf ball. It is because of this reason that golf ball washers are a common sight at golf courses. However, should the golfer be a distance away from the washers or should the washers be non-operational such as during the off-season, the golfer is out of luck. Accordingly there exists a need for a means by which golfers can be provided with clean golf balls no matter where or when they golf. The development of the present invention fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clip-on golf ball tool according to the present invention is a personal golf accessory that includes a cleaning pad, a ball marker, and a divot repair tool with an integral belt clip. The belt clip comprises a plastic or metal clip that can slip on a belt, pocket, or on the edge of a golf bag. The golf tool presents a round circular area that is covered with one half of a hook and loop fastening system. The other half of the fastening system is provided on the rear of a disposable pad. The pad is made from a disposable paper/cloth product that may be moistened with water before applying it to the clip, and that would retain water for a period of time equal to a typical round of golf. When on the golf course, the player can simply rub a dirty ball against the pad to clean it off. It is also envisioned that the face of the pad could be provided with an advertising area comprising of product logos, company logos, sport team logos, telephone numbers, web site addresses or the like. The use of the present invention produces golfers with a clean ball no matter where they are at in a manner which is quick, easy and effective.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool that may be removably clipped onto a golfer's clothing or golf bag.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool, as aforesaid, for holding a golf ball cleaning pad and golf ball marker.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool, as aforesaid, in which the ball marker is magnetically secured to the tool but easily removable when desired.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool, as aforesaid, in which the ball cleaning pad is releasably secured to the tool but easily removable when desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool, as aforesaid, having locations configured to include indicia such as advertisements, company logos, and the like.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a golf ball tool, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clip-on golf tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf tool as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the golf tool as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf tool as in FIG. 1 with the ball marker removed and the saddle in an extended configuration;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the golf tool as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the golf tool as in FIG. 1 with the ball marker removed; and

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the golf tool as in FIG. 5 in use with a mounting fastener.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A clip-on golf ball tool according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

The present invention describes a device and method for a clip-on golf ball cleaner (herein described as the “device” or “tool”) 10, which provides a means for a personal golf accessory and interchangeability thereof. Said device 10 includes a golf ball cleaner rid a golf ball of dirt and debris brought about by a game of golf, a divot repair tool to repair a damaged golfing green from the impact of golf balls, and golf marker 50 to mark the position of the golf ball. Each is located thereon in the form of an integral belt clip. Said device 10 is preferably attached to a belt, pocket, pants waistband, or to a golf bag. The materials required to produce the device 10 are all readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. A body 20 portion of the device 10 is preferably made of plastic or of metal in an injection molding or stamping process. The remaining components of the device 10 would best be procured from wholesalers and manufacturers that deal in goods of that nature and assembled at a final location.

The golf tool 10 includes a generally disk-shaped circular body portion 20, thereby providing an attachment means for a ball marker 50 and a cleaning pad 40. The body 20 includes a pair of integrated parallel tines 22, 24 (also referred to as a divot tool) extending downwardly (also referred to as “outwardly”) from a lower end of the body portion 20. The tines 22, 24 form a generally V-shaped lower portion, thereby providing a conventional divot repair tool. It is understood that the tines may be integrally constructed with the body portion 20. The first tine 22 and second tine 24 are inserted into a damaged golfing green at an appropriate angle to pry the damaged golfing green upwardly and repair the ball marks caused by impacting golf balls.

The golf tool 10 includes a saddle 30 that may be constructed of a semi-resilient material to join the body portion 20 to a mounting member 35. Preferably, the saddle 30 includes a generally inverted U-shaped configuration (FIGS. 1 and 2). The saddle 30 also provides the tool 10 with a slight gap 60 between the circular body portion 20 and the mounting member 35 (FIG. 2) so as to grip a pocket, belt, or the like. The saddle 30 is envisioned to be fabricated from a resilient and translucent plastic, although other materials and colors may be provided without limiting the functions of the tool 10.

More particularly, the mounting member 35 provides a generally circular disk-shaped stabilizing surface and an attachment means to the pad 40. The mounting member 35 is attached downwardly to a distal end portion of the saddle 30 and is located parallel to the body 20 at a distance predetermined by the gap 60. An interior portion of said mounting member 35 includes a circular mount fastener 37 which preferably comprises a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners although other fastening means may be provided such as, but not limited to: adhesive, latches, snaps, buttons, magnets, or the like without limiting the functions of the device 10. The mount fastener 37 attaches to a rear portion 44 of a pad 40. Specifically, each of the hook and loop fasteners 37 may include adhesive surfaces for attachment to the rear portion 44 of the pad 40 and to the mounting member 35, respectively, and also have complementary hook and loop surfaces, respectively, that selectively engage one another (FIG. 3). The mounting member 35 is envisioned to be fabricated from a similar material as the body 20.

The above mentioned pad 40 provides a user with a circular cleaning surface to wipe an unclean golf ball. The pad 40 may include a user replaceable disposable water absorbent cleaning surface which is preferably pre-moistened with water or other cleaning liquid prior to installation on the mounting member 35. The pad 40 includes a front surface area 42, preferably constructed of felt or the like, that may include indicia such as script or logos based on a user's preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the device 10, for instances with a variety of colors and patterns. The rear portion 44 of the pad 40 may be constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid backing connected to the mount fastener 37, as described above. The pad fastening mount fastener 37 is preferably a pair of hook-and loop fasteners, although other attachment means may be provided. It is also envisioned for the tool 10 would be supplied with up to ten (10) replacement pads 40 and/or to have replacement pads 40 readily available to the consumer after purchase of the device 10. The pad 40 is envisioned to measure approximately two (2) inches in diameter and the structure would be made of a porous material such as, but not limited to: wood fibers, foamed plastic polymers, or the like.

The body portion 20 includes a front side 21 a and a rear side 21 b. The front side 21 a of the body portion 20, opposing the mounting member 35, provides a circular recessed portion 28, thereby providing a compartment to maintain a circular ball marker 50 for marking the resting location of a golf ball in play. The recessed portion 28 allows marker 50 to be positioned flush against the body 20. The recessed portion 28 includes a body magnet 26, thereby providing the attachment means for the marker 50. The body magnet 26 engages with the marker, thereby securing the marker 50 to the recessed portion 28 on the body 20. It is understood that the marker 50 may be constructed of metal and thus be normally attracted to the body magnet 26. If, however, the marker is made of plastic, an additional magnet may be attached to the marker so as to provide the attraction. The body magnet 26 may include a truncated configuration (FIGS. 3 and 6) that includes a surface area less than that of the marker 50 such that the marker 50 may be more easily removed from attraction to the body magnet 26 along the point here adjacent surfaces are not magnetically attracted. The marker 50 may include an outer surface 54 (FIG. 3) for marker indicia thereby providing script or logos based upon a user's preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize and personalize the device 10 further comprising a variety of colors and patterns.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device 10, it would be installed as indicated in FIGS. 1 through 4.

In use, the method of utilizing the device 10 may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device 10; moistening a pad 40; securing said pad 40 to the mounting member 35 via engaging the pad rear portion with the mount fastener 37; inserting the marker 50 into the recessed portion 28 via engaging the marker 50 (or marker 50 with an attached magnet if the marker is made of plastic) with the body magnet 26; inserting a belt, pocket, edge of golf bag into the gap 60 so as to rest the saddle 30 on top of said belt, pocket, or the like; removing the marker 50, thereby disengaging the marker from the body magnet 26 to indicate the position of a golf ball on a golfing green; replacing the marker 50 as necessary; cleaning an unclean golf ball, thereby wiping said golf ball on the pad 40 or removing said pad 40, thereby unfastening the pad from the mount fastener 37 as described above and wiping the unclean golf ball; reattaching the pad 40 as necessary; replacing the pad 40 and moistening as necessary; utilizing the tines 22, 24 thereto repair divots on the golfing green; utilizing the marker 50, tines 22, 24, and pad 40 as necessary; and, enjoying the game of golf with the device 10.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modification and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A clip-on golf tool for removable attachment to an article of clothing, comprising: a body portion having front and rear sides; a ball marker removably coupled to said front side of said body portion; a pair of generally parallel tines attached to a lower end of said body portion and extending outwardly; a mounting member; a pad removably coupled to said mounting member; and a saddle extending between said body portion and said mounting member, said saddle being configured to be selectively attached to the article of clothing.
 2. The golf tool as in claim 1, further comprising a body magnet attached to said body portion front side, said ball marker having a metal construction that is magnetically attracted to said body magnet for removable attachment thereto.
 3. The golf tool as in claim 2, wherein said body portion front side defines a recessed portion having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said body magnet and said ball marking for receiving said body magnet and said marker therein.
 4. The golf tool as in claim 3, wherein said body portion includes a generally disc-shaped circular configuration.
 5. The golf tool as in claim 3, wherein said body magnet includes a truncated configuration that includes a surface area that is less than a surface area of said ball marker, whereby said ball marker may be more easily released from said body magnet.
 6. The golf tool as in claim 1, wherein: said ball marker includes an outer surface having indicia thereon; and said pad includes an outer surface having indicia thereon.
 7. The golf tool as in claim 1, wherein said pair of tines includes: a generally V-shaped configuration; and a construction integrated with said body portion.
 8. The golf tool as in claim 1, wherein said pad includes a rear surface having means for removably fastening said pad with said mounting member.
 9. The golf tool as in claim 8, wherein said means for coupling is one of a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a latch, or a magnet.
 10. The golf tool as in claim 9, wherein said pad is constructed of a porous material including one of wood fibers or foamed plastic polymers.
 11. The golf tool as in claim 1, wherein: said saddle includes a generally inverted U-shaped configuration; and said saddle is constructed of a resilient material adapted to selectively rest upon an article of clothing taken from the group consisting of a belt, pocket, and pants waistband.
 12. The golf tool as in claim 11, wherein said saddle forms a gap between said body portion and said mounting member, said body portion and said mounting member being generally parallel.
 13. A clip-on golf tool for removable attachment to an article of clothing, comprising: a body portion having front and rear sides defining a generally disc-shaped circular configuration, said front side defining a recessed portion; a body magnet configured to be received in said recessed portion of said body portion; a ball marker magnetically coupled to said body magnet and selectively removable therefrom, said ball marker including a surface having indicia thereon; a pair of generally parallel tines attached to a lower end of said body portion and extending downwardly therefrom; a mounting member; a pad removably coupled to said mounting member, said pad includes an outer surface having indicia thereon; and a saddle extending between said body portion and said mounting member, said saddle being configured to be selectively attached to the article of clothing.
 14. The golf tool as in claim 13, wherein said recessed portion is configured so as to receive said body magnet and said ball marker therein in a flush relationship to said front side of said body portion.
 15. The golf tool as in claim 14, wherein said body magnet includes a truncated configuration that includes a surface area that is less than a surface area of said ball marker, whereby said ball marker may be more easily released from said body magnet.
 16. The golf tool as in claim 15, wherein said pair of tines includes: a generally V-shaped configuration; and a construction integrated with said body portion.
 17. The golf tool as in claim 16, wherein said saddle includes a generally inverted U-shaped configuration adapted to selectively rest upon an article of clothing taken from the group consisting of a belt, pocket, and pants waistband.
 18. The golf tool as in claim 17, wherein said saddle forms a gap between said body portion and said mounting member, said body portion and said mounting member being generally parallel.
 19. The golf tool as in claim 18, wherein: said pad includes a rear surface having means for removably fastening said pad to said mounting member; and said means for coupling is one of a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a latch, or a magnet.
 20. The golf tool as in claim 13, wherein said pad is constructed of a porous material including one of wood fibers or foamed plastic polymers. 